Chapter 667: I Wanted to Run Away

TL: FoodieMonster007

"Hyung! I made it back alive!"

As Geom Mugeuk entered the room with a cheerful greeting, he found Geom Muyang standing by the window.

Without turning around, Geom Muyang said, "I heard everything."

"What?"

"You, badmouthing me."

"I forgot to mention that. My hyung's hearing is so good he can even hear people talking behind his back. So if you're going to curse him, you have to do it from far away."

A faint smile appeared on the lips of Geom Muyang, who still had his back turned.

Geom Mugeuk collapsed onto a chair like a heap of laundry.

"Ah, it's finally over! Now, let's rest for a while! Don't try to stop me, I'm going to have fun! I'll hang out with my friends, the Demon Supremes, and even my father. I'm serious! Don't even mention conspiracies, masterminds, or schemes! Hyung, come hang out with me!"

Geom Muyang turned and looked Geom Mugeuk over.

"For someone who just finished a huge fight, you don't have a single drop of blood on your clothes."

"That's because sophisticated people like us fight with elegance."

Just then, the door opened and someone entered, offering a comment.

"Is that really why? Or is it because you let others do the fighting while you watched from the back with your arms crossed?"

Geom Mugeuk's face lit up. It was a welcome voice that he had not heard in a very long time.

"Of course, I'm sure your mouth wasn't idle while others were fighting."

Geom Mugeuk shot to his feet and turned to see the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader and the Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme entering the room.

"I missed you so, so much, Cult Leader."

Geom Mugeuk ran toward the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader with his arms spread wide. The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader skillfully dodged him using his movement arts.

"Don't pretend you're happy to see me. I know you'd completely forgotten about me. Just now, you looked at my face and thought, 'Who's this? Ah! It's that Cult Leader from back then!'"

Geom Mugeuk shouted, "And I'm that Second Young Lord from back then!"

As Geom Mugeuk charged forward again, the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader once more used his movement arts to evade him.

"Stop! You're being gross!"

Contrary to his words, however, the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader's face was filled with delight. Joking and playing around so comfortably for the first time in a long while felt as if it cleared something that had been stuck in his chest.

He reflected on his time in the Outer Regions teaching the disciples at the Heavenly Wind Cult. Had there been anyone he could treat so casually? He had missed this feeling.

Yes, this is it. This is the feeling I gave everything up for.

He had longed to meet people with whom he could comfortably share his heart, people who would accept and correct any misunderstandings or mistakes along the way.

It would be a great fortune to have even one such person, but he was lucky enough to have two.

Just then, another person entered the room, clicking his tongue.

"You've completely fallen for his little act."

The person who had just entered was the Demonic Buddha.

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader and the Demonic Buddha greeted one another with a look. They were two people whose relationship had been good, then bad, and had now recovered to some degree.

"Isn't this kind of act worth falling for?"

The Demonic Buddha could not disagree.

After Geom Mugeuk finished greeting Geom Muyang and the Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme, he asked, "What about the Poison King?"

"He went to his room."

The Poison King was likely in his room already, laying out the poisonous herbs he had gathered.

"I tried to bring the steward back alive, but it didn't work out."

"You did well. He probably didn't know anything anyway."

Geom Mugeuk then formally expressed his gratitude.

"Thanks to you, I was able to handle this matter easily. Thank you."

"I didn't come for you."

As the Demonic Buddha said this, he looked toward Geom Muyang.

Geom Mugeuk felt that he now understood the sentiment behind the Demonic Buddha's unwavering loyalty to his hyung.

The Demonic Buddha had lived a lonelier life than anyone since he was young. That was why he understood. He knew what loneliness did to a person.

Because he himself had been confined to a small cave, he must have known the kind of loneliness his hyung felt after being pushed out of the succession battle.

"That's fine. There are two people here who came for me."

When Geom Mugeuk looked at the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader, he shook his head firmly.

"Sorry, but I came to see Strategist Go."

"That's so harsh!"

Geom Mugeuk's gaze shifted to the last person remaining, the Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme.

The Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme smiled. He naturally expected her to say she came because of Geom Mugeuk.

"I wanted to see the Master after such a long time."

Only when Geom Mugeuk gave her a look that clearly said 'You too, Soul-Stealing Demon!', did she finally smile.

"I'm kidding."

Would the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader miss such a perfect opportunity?

"Kidding? You didn't come to see me?"

"No. I came to see the Master."

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader teased Geom Mugeuk.

"Life is a path you walk alone."

Geom Mugeuk walked over to the window.

"Hyung, let me borrow the window for a moment."

He then stared out the window, feigning loneliness.

At that moment, the Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme, who was watching him, felt something.

Geom Mugeuk's back looked genuinely lonely.

It was a feeling similar to the one she got when she saw the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon standing alone on a rooftop.

The thought suddenly occurred to her that perhaps this was the reason those two were the closest.

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader asked Geom Mugeuk, "What about Strategist Go?"

"I don't know. Am I not a man who walks through life alone?"

"You can walk alone, just leave Strategist Go behind."

At those words, Geom Mugeuk laughed and turned around.

"We decided to meet at our Cult. He said he would come after taking care of some things."

The hidden contributor who allowed this matter to conclude so smoothly was none other than Go Wol. He had shared all of the Hidden Moon's information with the All-Knowing Hall and relayed it to Geom Mugeuk.

"So he's still being overworked by his heartless leader."

Geom Mugeuk did not deny it.

"That's why I need you, Cult Leader. No matter how much I tell him to slack off while he works, he doesn't listen to me."

"That stubborn mule doesn't listen to me either."

"Still, he listens to you more than he listens to me."

After exchanging greetings with the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader, Geom Mugeuk looked at the Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme. He could sense that her presence had changed significantly. She was not the same person she was before.

"Thanks to you, this matter was resolved well. Thank you."

The Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme thought that Geom Mugeuk was very meticulous. He never forgot to greet each and every person. Even when a job was finished, he never overlooked details that could have been easily dismissed.

"I believe it was only possible because the Young Cult Leader was here."

She knew. She knew that the one who had commanded the entire operation and ultimately thwarted all the conspiracies was Geom Mugeuk.

In the first place, she was someone who should not have been here in Wuhan. And was it just her? The Poison King, the Demonic Buddha, the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader, the First Young Lord, and even the heir to the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult were all here.

The one who made all of this possible was that Young Cult Leader. The future Cult Leader she would have to serve for the rest of her life.

Geom Mugeuk was delighted by her words.

"As expected! The only one who truly recognizes me is the Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme!"

After the tumultuous reunion came to an end, the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader asked casually, "How was it over there?"

He was curious about the skill of the Murim Alliance Chairman.

"The Chairman's skills are no joke, right?"

Everyone was curious, so they all focused on Geom Mugeuk's answer.

"I'll have to tell my father to postpone the unification of the murim."

It was his way of saying the Chairman was that strong.

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader immediately shook his head.

"Your father is more terrifying."

"You haven't fought my father or the Murim Alliance Chairman, have you?"

"Do you have to fight to know? If I had to face the Chairman, I'd be worried and start thinking about how to fight him. But if I had to face your father… ah, I don't even want to think about it. That's the difference."

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader feared the Demonic Cult Leader more than the Murim Alliance Chairman.

"Now, let's head back. We have to see our poor, overworked Strategist."

The masters of the Demonic Cult could not stay in Wuhan for long.

So Geom Mugeuk sent him and the Demon Supremes back first.

"Please go on ahead. My hyung and I have something to take care of here."

Geom Muyang gave him a look that asked what kind of trouble he was planning to start now.

"You'll be hearing good news from the Murim Alliance soon."

"What news?"

Geom Mugeuk spoke with a mysterious smile.

"Since we've come all this way, let's give them a proper celebration before we leave."

Jin Hagun returned to the Murim Alliance.

Seeing the blood-soaked Jin Hagun and the martial artists of the Demon Slaying Brigade, the Murim Alliance martial artists greeted them with a respectful clasped hands salute.

They knew well that the blood was shed to protect innocent lives.

Recently, Jin Hagun had been trying to change himself. As a result, his relationship with the martial artists of the Demon Slaying Brigade had deepened. This change had transformed the Demon Slaying Brigade into an even stronger organization.

Naturally, the way the Demon Slaying Brigade was viewed within the Murim Alliance also changed.

After entering the inner hall, he dismissed his subordinates.

"Go treat your wounds and get some rest! You've all worked hard."

"You worked hard too, Commander!"

With that, Jin Hagun headed to the Chairman's Hall alone.

He thought of his grandfather the entire way.

He did not know what kind of fight had occurred with Hwa Yulcheong, but considering their own battle, his grandfather's fight must not have been easy either.

Especially since Jin Hyo had said she would use him as a hostage to threaten his grandfather. What if his grandfather had been hurt because of that?

That was why, this time, he had put his trust in Geom Mugeuk. He believed Geom Mugeuk would have protected his grandfather and kept him from wavering.

Jin Hagun entered the Chairman's Hall.

"……"

The moment the door opened, he instinctively felt that the air inside was different.

Jin Hagun's heart began to pound.

Seeing the inside of the Chairman's Hall, Jin Hagun's heart sank.

The Chairman's seat was empty.

If that had been all, he would have thought his grandfather had just stepped out for a moment.

However, below the Chairman's seat, dozens of martial artists were lined up on either side.

These were no ordinary martial artists. They were the leaders of the various organizations within the Murim Alliance.

First were the four elite organizations representing the Murim Alliance.

The Commanders of the Green Dragon Brigade, the White Dragon Brigade, the White Tiger Brigade, and the Vermilion Bird Brigade (朱雀團) were standing there.

They were not the only ones.

The Directors of the secretly operating elite organizations, the Heavenly Wind Pavilion and the Secret Pavilion, were also present.

In addition, the leaders of other organizations, including the Commanders of the Iron Cavalry Squad and the Secret Shadow Squad, were all gathered.

And standing before them all was the Murim Alliance's Head Strategist, Jaegal Hyeon.

Jin Hagun's heart began to pound like crazy. He was even more surprised to see his younger sister, Jin Haryong, standing there as well.

No way…

Could something have happened to his grandfather?

His steps toward them quickened.

The leaders of the Murim Alliance, lined up on both sides, watched Jin Hagun in silence.

When Jin Hagun arrived below the Chairman's seat, the door the Chairman used opened, and Jin Paecheon walked out.

The moment he saw his grandfather, Jin Hagun let out a sigh of relief. The short time it took to walk from the entrance to this spot had been the most nerve-wracking moment of his life.

"Chairman!"

Jin Hagun looked at Jin Paecheon with trembling eyes.

Seeing his grandfather safe and sound, the face of one person came to mind.

Thank you, Mugeuk. This time, you can gloat all you want. I'll accept it all.

Jin Hagun bowed respectfully.

"Jin Hagun, Commander of the Demon Slaying Brigade, reporting that I have completed my mission and returned."

Jin Paecheon looked down at his grandson without a word. With his unusual gaze and the different atmosphere, Jin Hagun grew tense.

His grandfather was safe, so why on earth was everyone gathered like this?

Soon, surprising words flowed from Jin Paecheon's lips. Jin Paecheon was not a man to postpone something he had decided on.

"From this moment on, I hereby appoint Jin Hagun, Commander of the Demon Slaying Brigade, as the next Chairman of the Murim Alliance!"

It was something he had never expected, and Jin Hagun's eyes widened.

His grandfather's words just now meant he was being made the official successor to the Chairman.

The moment he had longed for had arrived so suddenly, without any warning, leaving him shocked and flustered.

Jin Haryong sent a telepathic message to her Orabeoni.

[What are you doing, Orabeoni!]

Finally snapping back to his senses, Jin Hagun assumed a formal posture and shouted, "Jin Hagun, Commander of the Demon Slaying Brigade, I accept your solemn command! I will protect the Alliance, uphold righteousness and chivalry, and defend justice."

At that, the leaders gathered there all shouted in unison.

"The path of justice and chivalry with justice we sweep the land!"

Their resounding voices were filled with spirit.

Jin Hagun was happy. So very happy. He could not express how much he had wished for this moment. Succeeding his grandfather as the Chairman of the Murim Alliance had been his dream since childhood.

Normally, the position of Murim Alliance Chairman was not something that could be inherited or decided unilaterally by the previous Chairman.

According to the established laws of the Alliance, a nominated candidate could only become the successor if more than eighty percent of the Murim Alliance's leaders, including the Head Strategist, approved. Whether they approved or disapproved was kept strictly confidential, so the selection was carried out with great impartiality.

Jin Paecheon's decision to postpone the selection of a successor had, in the end, been a wise one. In the meantime, Jin Hagun had been active as the Commander of the Demon Slaying Brigade, steadily building his fame and reputation.

Furthermore, his character had been acknowledged in the process of carrying out his duties of chivalry.

Because of that, everyone had already made up their minds.

"Commander Jin, please come up."

At Head Strategist Jaegal Hyeon's words, Jin Hagun ascended the steps and stood beside Jin Paecheon.

The assembled leaders all bowed in unison.

"We greet the next Chairman!"

Jin Hagun also bowed to them in return.

"I sincerely thank you for thinking so highly of this unworthy one."

Jin Haryong also offered her congratulations. Normally, she too would have had to bow formally, but in this moment, she wanted to congratulate him as his younger sister. She knew better than anyone how long her Orabeoni had waited for this moment.

"Congratulations, Orabeoni!"

Jin Hagun smiled brightly at her.

The leaders each offered their congratulations. Jin Hagun went down to greet each of them individually and express his thanks.

With this, the successors for the orthodox, unorthodox, and demonic factions were confirmed. A formal announcement would be made soon, and the entire murim would learn of this fact.

A grand festival would be held in the Murim Alliance.

After everyone had left, only Jin Paecheon and Jin Hagun remained in the Chairman's Hall.

"Hagun, there is something I must tell you."

"I will engrave it deep in my heart."

He expected his grandfather to speak about the sense of duty and attitude a Chairman must possess, and about Geom Mugeuk and the peace of the murim.

However, his grandfather brought up something completely unexpected.

"There was a part of me that hoped you would not take this seat. I was of two minds."

For the first time, Jin Paecheon conveyed his honest feelings about the position of Chairman.

"This seat comes with an immense responsibility. It is a position where you must exercise extreme self-control over your desires and bear the burden of protecting countless lives. Even if it's not your fault, the responsibility will fall on you, and you must accept all manner of resentment."

Jin Paecheon conveyed his feelings to his grandson with deep affection.

"It might seem exciting and wonderful, but that only lasts a day or two. You have to live your entire life conscious of others' gazes. You have to be careful even when you eat, and you can't even curse freely. Because of the tangled relationships, you can't even show a hateful expression to someone you despise."

And then, a surprising truth was revealed.

"I wanted to run away several times."

Jin Hagun could not believe his grandfather had ever had such thoughts.

"Those people who were congratulating you earlier, if they were offered this seat, more of them would run away. The more you know about this position, the more you'd want to flee, not covet it."

Jin Hagun could understand what he meant. The position of Commander of the Demon Slaying Brigade was incredibly difficult at times, so how much more so would the Chairman's seat be?

"Do you know how I overcame it?"

"How did you overcome it?"

Jin Paecheon's gaze intensified.

"With strength."

Jin Paecheon was not just trying to give his grandson this difficult and arduous position. He was also giving him the power to protect it.

"I will pass down the Royal Sword Style to you!"